//------------------------------// // First Time in Canterlot Palace // Story: Love and Friendship Will Always Conquer Fear and Pain. // by Night--Mist //------------------------------// As Luna flies toward the palace of her and her elder sister, she thinks deeply as the little colt lays on her back, 'This little one has had it rough. He's an alicorn, but judging from the way he acted, it seems like he's been deeply mistreated by a good portion of Equestria. I wonder why we were not aware of his presence? And to see him out there by himself, I have a feeling that his parents may not be with us anymore. Still, something must have triggered his magic to burst out to protect him, he has almost as much magical ability as my sister's young pupil and that's to say a lot. But why was he out on his own? Surely the orphanage would have looked after him in Ponyville if he has no parents. No matter now though, he's gonna need somepony to look after him. And he needs somepony to help him control his magic as well as know how to use it for good. I feel something very conflicting coming from him, but what it is, I'll have to wait til later, wait til he has come to trust me a bit more. Right now he needs a warm bath and some rest. It looks like and feels like he's been on the run from something for a while, now that I think about it. Maybe he isn't from Ponyville. I'll find out when I can of where his true origins originate.' As they approach the palace, Luna could feel Crimson slipping into unconsciousness. "Oh, don't fall asleep yet young one, I need to have you cleaned up a bit. We're almost at my home," Luna informs the young colt, feeling it might be better not to use the 'Royal We' and the 'Old Canterlot Language' around this little alicorn colt. He looks over her shoulder and sees the city of Canterlot. This city was different from others he encountered as he saw the castle tower over the rest of the city. He didn't know why but here he now feels safer then ever before, he was miles and miles from Manehatten, and this is where other ponies who looked like him lived. 'How many more like me are there?' He thinks, for Luna was the only other one he had seen so far. He keeps wondering if maybe they were the only two of their kind. His mother had been one herself, but now she was gone, so it might just be him and the one giving him a ride. Luna looks back and sees the amazement in the colt's eyes. "Welcome to the city of Canterlot young one, and up ahead is Canterlot Castle. Home of myself , my sister, Princess Celestia and our dear niece Princess Mia Mora Cadenza', or Cadence as we like to call her. Oh and where are my manners, I am Princess Luna, guardian of the night," Luna says. Crimson is still too shy to speak, but he feels a bit more comfortable to be in the presence of Princess Luna. After hearing he is getting cleaned up, it seems to be an indicator to him that she meant not to harm him, in fact it seems she wants to help him, but he couldn't be too sure. Since his mind was still so young, yet had been through so much pain, he didn't know who to trust, but Princess Luna appears to one of the nicest ponies he's ever met, aside from his parents. Luna could sense his uncertainty of being with her, but she knew that over time she would be able to gain his trust, and she feels something deep inside get triggered as she looks at him. Soon, she lands outside the palace doors. "Your Majesty, may I ask why you are outside the castle walls?" One of the guard ponies of the night watch asks her as he bows. "Please forgive Our absence from the palace grounds, but this young little pony was in need of Our help and We couldn't leave him alone," Luna says using the 'Old Canterlot Language' as she reveals the colt on her back. Crimson was trembling at the sight of the guards, wondering if they would hurt him. "I'm not questioning your wisdom, but was there a specific reason you did not drop him off in the nearest town or city orphanage he was close to, your highness?" Another guard asks, making Crimson whimper a bit at the mention of an orphanage. "We have many reasons why We have brought this little colt to our home, and all are extremely good reasons for doing so. We ask that you have one of our good caretakers draw up a bath in our chambers while We head up there with thy young colt as well as to bring some refreshments up for the little foal and Us to eat and drink," the Princess of the Night politely commands. The first guard was thinking about advising against it, but seeing the look in Luna's eyes, which was one that puzzles him, plus the fact he had seen the little foal had wings and a horn, he feels it was right to do as Princess Luna wishes. "Very well your highness, let me inform a fellow guard of this and we'll let you be on your way with the little colt," The guard says, heading off to inform a fellow guard pony before coming back. Luna soon heads in and the second guard looks at his fellow guard pony. "Are you sure that was right Silver Sword, letting her take him in there with her. I mean, he is a stranger here, but why does it seem right to do so?" The guard asks. "That's a good question. At first I was not so sure myself. But something about the way Princess Luna addressed us when we asked about the colt, she seemed protective of him, more then most of her subjects. And if you look at it, something must be special about him for her to bring him here. Plus, you saw he had both wings and a horn, so he's just like the Princesses. He's an alicorn. But the only thing that puzzles me is why did he look so shaken up like he had been through a war zone or something, and I saw the way he trembled and heard him whimper at the mention of an orphanage. He obviously had a bad experience with them. In all honesty, it seemed like the right thing to do. Captain Shining Armor can punish me later if it was truly wrong of me, but it felt right in my mind Bronze Dagger," Silver Sword says. "Well, now that you mention it, I don't think the Captain of the Royal Guard will be mad with your decision. And I have a feeling, we'll be seeing a lot more of that little trooper around here. Like you said, he seems to have been through more than a foal his age should endure," Bronze Dagger replies. As the two guards continue talking about the colts arrival, Luna is nearly to her chambers while the foal couldn't stop admiring the inside of the palace. Crimson wonders how an alicorn like her was able to live in a place like this and how she was able to command other ponies of another race in the kind caring way she did. He thinks his eyes and mind are playing tricks on him for a moment, but soon knew it was all too real. Soon they enter Luna's bed chambers and Crimson sees a bed that was big enough to let at least 10 pony's, including Luna and him, sleep on it. Another pony in a maids suit trots out of a door and says as Crimson crouches down on Luna's back, "The bath is ready as you requested your highness." She then takes notice of Crimson and that he has the features of an alicorn and asks, "Oh, what an adorable little colt your majesty, is he somepony you know, a relative perhaps?" "No Dusty, We unfortunately do not know the name of thy little colt. We found thee in the Everfree forest being chased by timber wolves," Luna replies. "Goodness gracious, he's lucky to have gotten out of there with his life. Is he hurt, your highness?" Dusty gasps in surprise. "Thy little ones fur is a little ruffled is all, but We thankful thou was not hurt. We shall retire to the bath now with thy little colt. I thank the for thy help," Luna calmly says to assure Dusty he was alright. "It was no trouble your majesty, if you shall need anything else, I won't be far away. I have taken the night hours and have been well rested your highness," Dusty informs her. "Thank you, We shall await the food to be brought to our chambers as We and thy young one bathe," Luna says. "Of course your majesty, I shall inform you when the food has arrived," Dusty replies. "Thank you kindly Dusty," Luna says. Soon Luna trotted into the bathing room with Crimson on her back and as promised, the bath was warm for the two ponies enter. Soon Luna grabs Crimson gently by the back of his neck and places him on the floor as she removes her royal attire. Luna then notices the amulet hanging around Crimson's neck. She then asks Crimson with a gentle smile, "Do you mind if I remove your necklace little one?" Crimson only politely shakes his head as he lets her remove it. As Luna brings it up to her eye level, the markings on the amulet catch her attention and takes a moment to examine it before she concludes what it means in her thoughts as she sets it on the sink vanity next to her own jewelry. She then picks up little Crimson again and desends into the water, setting Crimson in the shallow end in case he couldn't swim. Crimson then looks at her and wonders why she was being so nice. 'I am no one, she's royalty and other ponies look up to her. But why was the maid acting so nice too, are not all ponies like the ones I knew back in Manehatten. Just thinking about that city gives me goosebumps. But why did she come for me. Even though I may look like her doesn't mean I'm something special. Maybe I should talk too her, ask her a few questions. I mean, she's been nice to me so far, and I'm sure she has questions about me. I just hope she doesn't ask about my parents. His thoughts were interrupted as Luna says, "You must have traveled very far from your home little one. You look so worn out. Do you mind if I ask for your name and where you're from dear," Luna asks. "M-my name is C-Crimson S-Shield, y-your m-majesty," Crimson finally says. "You do not need to be afraid young one. Your safe here, no pony will hurt you, I give you my word as a princess of Equestria, and there is no need for the formalities. You can call me Luna little one, well, at least when we're alone. And Crimson Shield, that is a hansom name for a hansom little colt like you," Luna assures him. Crimson blushes at her comment and Luna then asks, "Where did you come from that you ended up in that dreadful Everfree Forest little Crimson?" Crimson knew that question was sure to come up and looks down as he replies, "I-I'm from M-Manehatten. The ponies there were mean to m-me, even the orphanage," Crimson begins to tear up as he continues, "The called me things like outcast, freak, even a-abomination. I don't kn-know why they hate me, I d-didn't do anything to them." Luna was in utter shock. Ponies in Manehatten calling a little colt like him such harsh names was inexcusable. Now she understands why he had been trembling in her presence when they first encountered each other and then again when he saw the guards in armor. She also understands now, why he whimpered at the word orphanage. She then thinks as she pulled Crimson close to her to help calm him down, 'The orphanage must have treated him very poorly and that he must have run away from all of the mistreatment they were giving him. And if he was an orphan, then that means either his parents gave him up at birth or, I hope it's not this, they may have died. He needs a home, but I can't send him to the orphanage here, he would just run away again. And I feel it would make him think I am no better then those ponies who caused him such pain. Also, that amulet and his magial abilities. He has such a raw power of it, a good portion less then Twilight's right now, but it is still a very high level. He needs somepony, to help him harness that magic and control it. I wonder if I should teach him. Yes I should and I should talk with my sister about this in the morning. Her thoughts are interrupted as she hears Crimson sneeze. "Oh, bless you Crimson." "T-thanks L-Luna," he replies shyly. "Crimson, I know you've had it rough in the past, but I will tell you right now, you are not an outcast, you're not a freak, you are not even an abomination. Those ponies had no right to call you such things or treat you like they did," Luna says as she gently starts cleaning his mane with shampoo. Crimson looks at her and asks after she pours water on his head, "D-do you w-want me to g-go after I'm d-done eating?" "Actually Crimson, I want you to stay the night. You can sleep with me since we don't currently have another bed for you here. Is that alright?" Luna asks. Crimson nods but then hears his stomach growl. "Hmhm, good thing I asked for food be brought up. You are definitely a hungry little fellow." "Um, L-Luna, c-can I ask you s-something?" Crimson asks nervously. "Of course dear," Luna answers kindly. "W-why did you c-come and f-find me, and w-why do you s-speak different t-to the other p-ponies?" He studders. "Well to answer your first question, I came looking for you because I felt and saw you were in danger and I just talk to you this way to make it more comfortable for you young Crimson," Luna tells him in a caring way Crimson was shocked she actually cared about him being safe since everypony else he met in Manehatten seems to want him to not even exist. Soon Crimson and Luna finished their bath and she set him on the floor before grabbing a towel and drying him off and herself. She then lets him walk after he asked to and they soon head into the bedroom. Luna helps him onto the bed and lays next to him. There is a knock at the door and ponies walk in with carts that are filled with food. "A veriaty to your liking your highness," a butler pony says. He then notices Crimson and adds, "Oh, I did not know a young colt was with you, my apologies for not preparing him dishes of his own liking, your grace." Crimson head was spinning at the fact other ponies of different races were treating him as if he was royalty. His thoughts are cut short as he hears Luna say, "Quite alright Sarsaparilla. We are sure there are some entrees here that will appeal to thou's taste, thy may take thy's leave. We appreciate thy service very much," Luna informs butler Sarsaparilla. "It was a pleasure you majesty," The butler says and soon heads out the door. Soon Luna told Crimson to choose whatever he would like to eat, and being so hungry it didn't decline. He only paused when he realized he was in a princesses presence and was unaware of how to eat like nobles do. "Don't worry about eating properly in front of me little one. I know that's what is troubling you. You do not have a group of ponies watching you like you need to act the part of a noble dear, go ahead and, how do the common folk say it? Oh yes, dig in dear." He was a little surprised she was allowing him to eat the common way, but he didn't complain as he started to devour his meal. After he had filled his belly, he let out an enormous yawn and rubbed his eyes. "Time for bed little one. Come over here and lay with me," Luna says, motioning Crimson to a pillow almost twice his size laying next to her. Luna knew she had to get him to trust her if she was going to start teaching him how to use his magic for good and take care of him. He was a little unsure at first, but soon knew she wasn't trying to cause him harm. She was offering her body's warmth, so he made his way over to her and got into a comfortable position on the pillow. Since his eyes felt heavy, it didn't take long for him to pass out by her side. Luna smiled gently and nuzzles him softly before she says, "Sleep well little one, I believe many things will begin to change for you tomorrow." She herself keeps a vigil eye on the moon and casts the last spell that would move it across the heavens so it could make way for the sun in the coming hours. She too then falls asleep as the guards keep a keen eye on any signs of danger.